Total pages in book: 224
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
“I don’t trust anything she said was completely accurate.”
“The part where Elijah thinks I stole his business and his woman and he wants to pay me back in spades,” I say. “That part’s pretty clear. How it came about, not so clear, but irrelevant.”
“We have this meeting recorded,” Carrie says. “That’s what matters. That should end this.”
With anyone but Elijah I’d agree, I think, as Savage steps to our sides. “What’s the word?”
“Bottom line,” Carrie says, “Mick and Tabitha tried to hurt Elijah financially and they blamed Reid and made it seem like he was still sleeping with Tabitha.”
A sudden thought hits me and I curse. “Reese. I was supposed to meet him.”
“I called him,” Savage says. “I told him you’d call him when you were on your way. I told him you had a problem that you’d explain in person. My involvement didn’t comfort him.” His gaze lifts and he eyes us. “As if driving home that statement, guess who just impatiently walked in the door.”
I turn to find Reese walking in our direction and Carrie grabs my arm. “Remember. He has something in common with you right now. An intense need to protect the woman he loves.”
I cover her hand with mine. “I know, baby, which is why I need you to give me a minute with him alone.” I kiss her knuckles. “Go check on Kesha. I won’t leave without coming up first.”
“You won’t leave without me. Say it, because I am going to be dying upstairs wondering what I missed, but I get it. You need to have a man-to-man, macho talk because that’s what you men do.”
“And then the smart men tell their women everything, I’ve learned. I won’t leave without you.”
She kisses my cheek. “Stay smart.”
I step away from her to walk toward Reese. Blake walks in behind Reese and in a matter of a few more steps, I’m huddled up with Reese, Blake, and Savage. I run down the entire conversation with Tabitha with everyone. Reese listens and asks specific questions, but as one expects from a world-class trial attorney, he doesn’t overreact. “Damn it, I hate that I have to go home and tell my wife this is happening,” he says. “But while I worry about her, you and Carrie, Reid, she’s not going to worry about herself at all. She’s going to worry about you and Carrie and I think there’s reason. I’m a criminal attorney. I’ve seen a lot of bad shit. Elijah might not be crazy, but when you hit a man’s pocketbook and fuck his wife, he can easily go over the deep end.”
“We have proof that Reid isn’t guilty,” Blake says. “I listened in. The wires you wore captured it all.”
“Then this ends quickly,” Reese suggests. “That’s good news.”
This is where I say what I haven’t yet said to Carrie. “You don’t know Elijah,” I say. “He won’t back off. He has hate for me that stretches back years.”
“If he doesn’t back off,” Reese counters, “then you hurt him, but be clear, Reid. That’s war and I know you’re good at going to war, but the world shifts when you’re no longer a loner. This war puts your woman, and my wife, on the battlefield.”
“I’m crystal-fucking-clear on that point or I wouldn’t have called you,” I bite out.
Reese gives me a direct look, his voice level, calm. “I know man. I just don’t want Cat upset right now. She’s had enough crap to deal with during this pregnancy.” He grips my shoulder. “Call me if you need me. I’ll help.” His eyes meet mine. “The way I know you helped us when we were being threatened by that crazy woman claiming she was having my baby.”
I nod and he turns away. “I’ll get you the tapes,” Blake says when Reese is out of hearing range. “But my opinion of Elijah is the same as yours. Not good. He could have found out the truth himself. He didn’t want to find it.”
I consider Blake’s words and then replay Carrie’s assessment of Tabitha’s story. “Unless he never knew about Mick at all,” I say. “Something doesn’t fit and we can’t believe anything Tabitha said.”
“Well, the recordings solve that issue if that’s the case,” Savage interjects.
“Yes,” Blake agrees. “I think he’ll want a place to project his anger and if you’re the only one around that means you and Carrie. Sleep on this tonight. Let me do some more fact gathering. I’ll be here for coffee in the morning and I’ll know more about Mick and Tabitha.”
My need to be with my fiancée right now makes me far more easily agreeable than normal. I part ways with the Walker crew and call Gabe on my way to the elevator. Once he knows the plans, I waste no time making my way to our apartment. I enter to find Carrie on the couch with our cat in her lap. She kisses Kesha, which is absolutely adorable and sets her on the cushion before standing up. I can’t explain how watching my future wife kiss a cat brings me to my knees, but it does. I love this woman. I will protect her at all costs.